Bailer or clean-out tool and method



July 27, 1937, p, `Av|Ns 2,088,151

BAILE OR CLN-UT TOOL AND METHOD Filed Feb. 15, 1932 P /Illomey Patented July 27, 1937 UNITED STATES PA'IIQENT OFFICE 49 Claims.

This invention relates to a bailer, or clean-out tool, of a type in which the charging of the bailer is eiected through the agency of the pressure in the well. In this type of bailer the bailer has a sand ch-amber below, and an upper chamber, or air chamber, above the sand chamber. These chambers are connected by a passage which is closed by a valve while the bailer is descending in the well. When the bailer reaches the bottom of the Well, the sand chamber becomes partially filled with the Water or liquid in the Well, and when the shoe of the bailer strikes an obstruction in the well, or theA well bottom, this valve is automatically opened, and by reason of the v pressure in the Well the liquid in the sand chamber passes up through the valve of the bailer into the empty air chamber above, while the well pressure charges the sand chamber. Heretofore bailers of this type have been constructed with a valve closure seating on its seat from above.

While it is feasible to construct such bailers in this way, the seating of the valve from above makes it advisable to provide means for balancing the valve, and this complicates the construction of bailers of this type. The general object of this invention is to provide a selfcharging bailer having a simple construction enabling the valve to open automatically and latch itself open when the bailer shoe strikes an obstruction in the well or arrives at the well bottom; also to provide a construction for this purpose operating in such a way as to avoid the necessity for balancing the valve. 1

A further object of the invention is to provide a bailer of this type with a valve closure which comesI upon its seat by an upward movement instead of a downward movement. as heretofore, and to provide simple/'means for producing the automatic opening of the valve when the shoe 40 strikes an obstruction or the bottom of the well. When bailers of this type are operating in wells having relatively high pressure, it is desirable to provide means for regulating the velocity of ilow of the same from the well into the sand ,17, chamber, and one of the' objects of this invention is to provide simple means for:` attaining this effect. u

Further objects of the invention will appear hereinafter. 0 'I'he invention consists in the novel parts and combinations of parts to be described hereinafter, all of which contribute to produce an efilcient bailer or clean-out tool,

A preferred embodiment of the invention is described in the following specification, while the (Cl. 16S-19) broad scope of the invention is pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a bailer embodying my invention, certain parts being broken 5 away and shown in section. v

Figure 2 is a vertical section upon an enlarged scale, taken through the bailer, and particularly illustrating the assembly of parts associated with the valve, and showing the latch and other parts 10 for controlling the valve, certain parts being broken away.

Figure 3 is a horizontal section, taken about on the line III- III of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view illustrating the 15 lower end of the bailer in vertical section, and particularly illustratingy means which I may employ for regulating the direction of iiow of the sand charge as it passes up into the sand chamber.

Figure 5-is a vertical section similar to Figure 2, 2 but with parts broken away and illustrating another embodiment ofl the latching means and valve guide.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view, corresponding 25 to Figure 2, and showing some of the parts illustrated in Figure 2, but with the latch in its operative position, in which it holds the valve open.

Figure 7 is a vertical section, taken at the lo'- cation of the line VII- VII of Figure 1, and illustrating a release valve which should be employed with this type of bailer.

Before proceeding to a more detailed description of the invention, it should be vstated that in bailers of this type, an upper chamber or air chamber is provided located above the valve that separates the air chamber from the sand chamber. When the bailer starts to-descend in the well, the air chamber carries air at atmospheric pressure. This chamber is substantially sealed, so that the atmospheric pressure is substantially maintained within it until the bailer arrives at the bottom of the Well Ior at a point in the well Where the bailer strikes an obstruction. WhenA this occurs, the valve between the chambers opens automatically and on account of the pressure in the well liquid already partially lling the sand chamber flows past the valve and into the upper l chamber which is holding air at substantially atmospheric pressure. In other words, the bailer charges itself automatically due to the relatively low pressure in the vvair chamber. As the sand chamber lls with the sand the liquid l.that passes up into theair chamber, of course compresses the air in the upper end-of the air chamber.

' end of the main sleeve 9.

According to this invention, I employ a valve which comes upon its seat by an upward movement, and I provide4 automatic means for effecting the opening of this valve when the bailer impinges against the same. In accordance with this invention, I also provide means at the shoe for regulating the velocity of ilow of the charge toward and into the receiving chamber of the bailer.

The invention may be practiced by using various specific constructions, but in the present specification I have described merely two forms or embodiments of the invention as regards the controlling means for the valve.

Referring more particularly to the parts, and particularly to Figure 1, I indicates a bailer assembly having the usual eye 2 at its upper end for suspending the bailer in the well on a sand line. The upper portion of the bailer includes a casing 3, the interior of which constitutes an upper chamber, or air chamber, 4, and at the lower end of the bailer a bottom valve 5 is provided above the shoe 6.

Above the shoe 6, the bailer includes a tube section 1, the interior of which constitutes a receiving chamber 8, or sand chamber, into which the sand passes. The lower end of the casing 3 of the air chamber is secured to a main sleeve 9, and on this sleeve, the shoe and its attached parts are swivelled. In order to accomplish this, I provide an outer sleeve I0 which is telescoped over the main sleeve 9 and this sleeve Ill has an inwardly projecting integral collar II with a shoulder I2 on its underside which is supported on an outwardly projecting collar I3 that is carried on the lower end of an inner sleeve I4, said sleeve I4 being threaded into the lower The collar II is held between the collar I3 andthe lower end of the main sleeve 9. The upper end of the main sleeve 9 is secured to the casing 3 of the air chamber.

The lower end of the outer sleeve I0 has a threaded connection to a union I5 that connects it to the upper end of the casing 1 of the sand chamber 8.

The bailer is provided with a cut-off shown as a valve which separates the sand chamber 8 from the air chamber 4, and in the present instance this, valve is in the form of a ball I6 which comes upon its seat I1 by an upward movement, said seat being attached at a passage I8, that is, the bore of the inner sleeve I4. The body portion I9 of the union I5 constitutes a sleeve extending up on the interior of the outer sleeve Ill and the end face 20 of this sleeve I9 receives the thrust of a coil spring 2| that normally holds the valve-closure I6 on its seat. In order to accomplish this, and provide for the free flow ofrllquid past the valve, I provide a valve guide 22 which is formed of two radially disposed wings 23 and 24 (see Figure 3), the former of which is of narrow width, while the latter of which may be of increased width to house a latch bolt 25. The function of this bolt is to latch the valve 4open during the operation of the bailer.

At their upper ends the wings 23 and 24 have outwardly projecting extensions forming shoulders 28 which receive the thrust of the spring 2l l,

at its upper end.

The valve-closure I6 may be secured to the guide in any suitable manner. In the present `in stance, the ball is secured by means of a threaded pin 21 that extends upwardly from the upper accessi side of the guide 22. By reason of the use of the wings 23 and 24 four passages 28 are formed in the bailer, (see Figure 3), through which the 4liquid can pass upwardly in going by the guide.

The underside of the collar I3 of the inner sleeve I4 may be packed, if desired, by means of a packing ring 3B which may be secured in place in any suitable manner. In the present instance, this packing ring is held in place by a coil spring 3| which seats on the upper sides of the shoulders 26. Another packing ring 30a may be provide'd at the upper end of the collar I3.

In the operation of the bailer, the valve becomes automatically latched open by means of the latch bolt 25, illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, but I do not limit myself to any particular embodiment of the means for controlling the valve-closure I8 to effect its automatic opening and latching.

However, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 2, this latch bolt 25 is mounted for horizontal movement in a guide-way 32 that passes through the relatively thick web or wing 24. The side wall of the sleeve I9 of the union I5 is cut away adjacent the rear end of the latch bolt so as to form a slot 33, and opposite this slot an inclined cam face 34 is formed in the sleeve I9. At the upper end of the slot 33 an abrupt shoulder 35 is formed. With this organization of parts, it will be evident that when the shoe striles an obstruction in the well, or strikes the wellv bottom, the momentum of the valve-guide will cause it to move on down and open the valve against the forcerof the spring 2 I.

As the latch bolt 25 moves downwardly its tapered forward tip 36 will engage the cam face 34 and this will cause a rearward movement of the latch 25 so that its butt end will pass into the slot 33. (See Figure 6.) The recoil of spring 2| will operate to seat vthe latch 25 under the shoulder 35. This will hold the valve-guide 22 in a depressed position, thereby opening the valve. As this occurs, the liquid now in the sand chamber will pass up through the passage I8 into the release chamber 4. This evacuation of the sand chamber by the liquid in it causes a suction effect, and enables the well pressure to force sand from the well, up through the shoe and into the sand chamber.

In order to regulate the velocity and direction of flow of the charge as it passes into the shoe, and to prevent it from being too violent,

I prefer to construct the shoe 6 as illustrated in Figure 4. That is to say, lthis shoe is provided with the usual central passage 31, but the slide wall of the shoe is provided with a plurality of ports 38 spaced cincumferentially around the shoe and having means for regulating the effective area of such port or ports. In the present instance, I provide the shoe with a recess 39 in which. an adjustable cover 40 is mounted. This adjustable cover may consist of a saddle plate with a vertical slot 4I init, to receive a clamping screw 42. By means of this screw, each cover plate 4Q may be secured in any position desired so as to obstruct more or less the area of its port 38. l f

Ballers of this type are preferably provided with means for relieving the pressure in the air chamber when the bailer is taken out of the well. If such means were not provided, the casing of theY bailer might burst from `the high internal pressure. For this purpose, I provide the upper end vvof the air chamber with a relief valve. `This valve may be in the form of a ball 43, (see Figure 7), that is normally held on its seat by a coil spring 44, regulated by an adjusting screw 45.

When the bailer has been taken from the well, its load can be discharged by rotating a discharge valve 46 which is in the form of a sleeve rotatably mounted on the lower end ofthe bailer. This sleeve 46 carries an outlet port 41 vwhich can berotated into register with a discharge port 48 formed in the bottom valve housing 49 at this point. 'I'his rotation can be accomplished by means of a xed key-plate 50, the key of which engages in two diametrically opposite slots 5I in the shoe 6.

In order to enable the latch bolt 25 to be released when desired, I provide a small opening 54 in the side of the casing I8 opposite the shoulder 35 and in this opening a push button 55 is mounted, said button being formed as a head 0n a small leaf spring 56 that is mounted in a recess 51 between the sleeve I9 and sleeve I0. 'I'his spring may be riveted in place, as indicated.

By shoving in on the push button 55, it is evident that the bolt can be released from the shoulder 35.

Other types of latching means for the valve may be employed, for example, I may employ the construction illustrated in Figure 5. In this view, 58 indicates the outer sleeve that corresponds to the sleeve I0, and within this sleeve a piston head 59 is guided to slide freely, said head being in the form of a sleeve with an integral disc 60 at one end. This disc has a threaded pin 6I to which the valve 62 is attached, and the disc is provided with a plurality of perforations 63 'to permit the liquid to ow up past the valveclosure 62 and through the valve passage 64. A The valve is normally held closed by-a coil spring 65, the upper end' of which thrusts against the lower end of the head 59, and the lower end of which rests against the upper end of a union 66,. corresponding to the union I5.

The side wall of the head 59 is provided with a catch 61 which may be in the form of a rivet with its head projecting ony the inner side of the wall of thehead. 'This rivet is in line with a spring 68 that Yextends upwardly from the union 66 to which it is attached. 'Ihis spring has a hook 69 at its upper end with an inclined upper face 10 which is engaged by the rivet when the head comes down.

,The head'v 59 should be provided with means vto prevent it from rotation so as to insure that the catch 61 will always be maintained in line with the hook 69. For this purpose, a longitudinal slot 1I may be provided in the side wall of the head which receives the tip of a set screw 12 mounted in the wall of the sleeve 58.

The`mode of operation of lthis valve is substantially the same as that of the valve illustrated in Figure 2, that is, when the shoe strikes an obstruction, orl the bottom of the well, the head 59 moves on byits own momentum. 'Ihis movement is suiiicient to enable the catch 61 to engage under the hook 69 and hold the valve open. 'I'he liquid in the sand chamber will then -ow up through the tubular head 59 through the openings 63, past the valve-closure 62, and up the valve passage 64.

In order to enable the hook to be released, I provide a small opening 14 in the wall of the isleeve 58 opposite the hook, and in the latched -provided with a relief port 16, (see Figure 2),

which is closed on its outer side by a disc 11 carried on the inner side of a spring 18. This spring is mounted in a recess 19 on the outer wall of the union I5 which carries the port 16.

The mode of operation of the bailer will now be brieiiy described:

Reiening particularly to Figure 2, as the bailer descends in the well, the valve is held closed by the spring 2l which presses upwardly against the guide 22, thereby holding the closure I6 on its seat. When the bailer reaches the liquid in the well, the sand chamber partially ills with the liquid or water in the well. When the bailer strikes the sand in the well, it will be falling at a considerable velocity, and when the movement of the shoe 6 is arrested, the momentum of the valve guide 22 causes it to continue on downward. As the valve-guide 22 moves on downwardly, the tip of the latch bolt 25 engages the cam face 34 which gives the bolt a sliding movement toward the right. The cam face 34 is designed so that this movement does not begin until the upper face of the latch 25 is well below the shoulder 35. When the butt end of the latch has moved under the shoulder 35, the valve is held or locked in open position. The pressure in the well then causes the water in the sand chamber to ow up through the passages 28, (see Figure 3), around the valve guide,`

and thence up through the valve passage I8 into therelease chamber 4 of the bailer, and forces a charge of sand into the evacuated sand chamber 8.

As -the water flows up into the air chamber, it compresses the air caught in the upper end of the air chamber.

The bottom check valve 5 of the bailer permits this upward flow, and when the bailer starts upwardly this valve closes and traps the charge` ldischarging the sand from the sand chamber 8 through the expansive power of the air compressed to relatively high pressure in the upper end of the release chamber. In this connection, it should be understood that the upper end of the air chamber is sealed from the atmosphere, except for the relief valve 43 which may act to relieve pressure in the interior `of the bailer if this is dangerously high. In this way the bailer can be unloaded at a sufficiently high pressure to discharge it eiectively, but without any danger to the men working with the bailer.

'I'he cover plates 40 may be adjusted more or less across the ports 48 in the side wall of the shoe 6 so as to regulate the velocity of flow of the sand into the sand chamber 8 of the bailer, and also to bring in part of the sand load from the side and to prevent merely coring into the sand.

The mode of operation of the valve illustrated in Figure 5, is substantially the same as that of the valve I6. 'I'hat isto say, when the bailer strikes 'an obstruction, or the bottom of the well, the momentum of the head 59 moves it down until the catch 61 becomes engaged by the hook 69; this holds the valve open. l

In the case of the'bailer shown in Figure 2, '75

the latch is released by pressing inon the push button '55.

In the hook type of latch shown in Figure 5, the hook may be disengaged by a pin inserted through the openings 'I5 and 14, which will be in alignment with each other when the catch 67 is in engagement with the hook.

The valve-guide 22, and the piston head 59, carrying valve 62, should be made long enough to give them suflicient weight to insure their having suflicient momentum to eifect the latching of the valves in their open position.

rI he radial flow of sand in through the side inlet ports 38 of the shoe has the eifect of drawing sand in the well laterally toward the shoe, and prevents mere coring action of the bailer.

If there is danger of having the bailer stick in the well, it is advisable to spud the bailer lightly, thereby effecting successive slight opening of the valve-closure I6. Each time the valve I6 is opened in this way some liquid would pass up through the valve opening and permit some sand to pass into the sand chamber. In this way, the bailer will take successive bites, and the sand chamber can be partially lled Jwith sand. Just before pulling the bailer, it will be dropped far enough to give the weighted valve ysuiicient momentum to latch it open and completely ll the sand chamber. In using this spudding method, if it should happen that the valvei I6 fails to latch itself open the relief valve would relieve the high pressure in the sand chamber as the bailer is withdrawn from the well.

It is understood that the embodiments of the invention described herein are only two of the many embodiments this invention may take, and I do not wish to be limited in the practice of the invention, nor in the claims, to the particular embodiments set forth.

What I claim is:-

1. A bailer having a sand chamber at its lower end and anair chamber above the sand chamber with a passage connecting the same, a Valve seat for said passage, a valve closure, a member carrying the valve closure having substantial weight and guided in the bailer, a spring thrusting against said member and normally holding the valve closure on its seat, a catch carried by said member, and 'a relatively xed 'spring hook mounted in the bailer below the said catch, said parts cooperating when the downward movement of the bailer is arrested, to enable the momentum 'of said member to open the valve and enable the catch to engage the hook to maintain the valve in its open position.

2. A bailer having a sand chamber at its lower end and an air chamber above the sand chamber with a passage connecting the same, a valve seat for said passage, a valve closure, a member carrying the valve closure having substantial weight and guided in the bailer, a spring thrusting against said member and normally holding the `valve closure on its seataa catch lcarried by said member and a relatively fixed spring hook mounted in the bailer below the said catch, said parts Qcooperating when the downward movementof end and an air chamber above the sand chamber with a passage connecting the same, a valve seat for said passage, a valve closure received on said seat from below, a valve guide carrying the valve closure, said Valve guide consisting of a piston having a sleeve guided within the bailer and having a disk at its upper end connected with the valve closure and having openingsfor passing fluid upwardly through the valve passage when the valve closure is off its seat, a spring engaging the lower end` of the Valve guide and normally holding the valve closure on its seat, a catch mounted on the wall of the valve guide, a relatively xed spring hook carried below the catch in the bailer, said parts cooperating when the downward movement of the bailer is arrested to open the valve by the momentum of the valve carrier and enable the catch to engage the hook to maintain the valve in an open position, the wall of said valve guide and the wall of the bailer having openings registering with each other when the valve is in its open position, said registering openings being located opposite the end of the hook to enable the same to be released from the exterior of the bailer.

4. A bailer having a receiving chamber at its lower end and an empty chamber above the receiving chamber with a passage connecting the same and having a valve-seat, a weighted valveclosuremounted to come upon the valve-seat from below, a shoe on the bailer, means for holding the valve-closure on its seat while the bailer is descending in the well, means for controlling the valve-closure to open the said passage through the agency of the momentum of the weighted valve closure when the shoe strikes an obstruction in descending in the well and thereby effecting the filling of the said chamber by the action ofthe pressure in the well, said shoe having a portin the side wall thereof with means for regulating the effective opening of the same to draw sand laterally toward thel shoe.

5. A bailer having means for effecting the charging of the same by the action of the well pressure. said bailer having a shoe with 'a central passage through which the charge passes upwardly and having a side wall with a port therein with means for regulating the effective opening of' the port to control the flow of sand in the well radially inward toward the shoe.

6. A bailer having a sand chamber below and an air chamber above, with a valve between said chambers, means for suddenly opening the valve to eifect the charging of the sand chamber by the action of the well pressure, said bailer having a shoe with a central passage, a check valve in said central passage through which the charge passes upwardly, said shoe having a side wall with a port therein below the check valve, with means for regulating the effective opening of the port to control the flow of sand in the well radially inward toward the shoe, and to regulate the velocityof ilow of the charge passing up through the central passage of the shoe.

'1 In a bailer, a casing having an upper chamber and a seat therein below the chamber, a cutoff provided at the lower side of said seat, means below the cut-off for effecting an opening thereof to charge the bailer when its downward mover below the cut-olf for effecting an opening thereof to charge the bailer when its downward movement isarrested, and a valve operable to retain the charge.

9. In a bailer, a casing having an upper chamber and a shoe, a shoulder formed in the casing between said upper chamber and shoe, a cut-off seated on the lower side of said shoulder, means below the cut-olf for effecting an opening thereof to charge the bailer when its ment is arrested, a valve operable to retain the charge, and a plurality of ports in -the wall of the shoe.

10. In a bailer, a. casing having an upper chamber and a shoe, a shoulderformed in the casing between said upper chamber and shoe, a cut-off seated on the lower side of said shoulder,

means below the cut-ofi for effecting an opening thereof to charge the bailer when its downward movement is arrested, a valve operableto retain the charge, a plurality of ports in the wall of said shoe, and means for opening and closing said ports.

11. In a well tool, a casing having an upper chamber and a lower chamber, a valve closure therebetween, and means ybelow the valve operable by momentum to open the same when the downward movement of the tool is arrested.

12. In a well tool, a casing having an upper chamber and a lower chamber, a valve closure therebetween, means below the valve operable by momentum to open the same when the downward movement ofthe tool is arrested, and means to lock the valve in open position.

13. In a bailer, a casing having an upper chamber and a lower chamber, a valve closure therebetween, a Weighted member below and connected with said valve, and means to maintain the valve normally closed, said valve being adapted to be opened by the momentum of the weighted member when the bailer isvarrested in its downward movement.

14. In a bailer, a casing having an upper chamber and a lower chamber, a valve closure therebetween, a weighted member below and connected with said valve, means to maintain the valve normally closed, said valve being adapted to be opened by the momentum of the weighted member when the bailer is arrested in its downward movement,Y and locking means to hold the valve in its open position. f

l5. In a bailer, a casing having an upper chamber and a lower chamber, a ball valve therebetween, a. valve guide below and connectedwith said valve, means to maintain the valve normally closed, said Valve being adapted to be opened by the momentum of the valve guide when the bailer is arrested in its downward movement, and locking means to hold the valve in open position.

16. In a bailer, a casing having an upper chamber and a lower chamber, restricted passage connecting the chambers, a ball valve Seating at the lower end of said passage, a valve guide below and connected 'with said valve, a spring to maintain the valve normally closed, said valve being adapted to be opened by the momentum of the valve guide when the bailer is arrested in its downward movement, and locking means to hold the valve in open position.

17. In a bailer, a rcasing having an upper chamber and a lower chamber, a restricted passage connecting the chambers, a valve seat at the lower end of said passage, a ball valve, a valve guide having passages therethrough disposed below -and connected with said valve, a

downward movespring to maintain the valve normally closed, said valve.being adapted to be opened by the momentum of the valve guide when the bailer is arrested in its downward movement, `and locking means to lock the valve in its open position.

18. In a bailer, a casing having an upper chamber and a lower chamber, a restricted passage connecting the chambers, a valve seat at the lower end of said passage,'a ball valve, a Valve guide having passages therethrough disposed below and connected with said valve, locking means carried by the valve guide, a spring to maintain the valve normally closed, said valve being adapted tov be opened by the momentum of the valve guide when the bailer is arrested in its downward movement, said locking means being adapted to lockthe valve in open position. ,Y

19. In a well tool, a casing having upper andy lower chambers, a valve closure therebetween, and means in the lower chamber to exert a downward pull on the valve closure to effect opening thereof.

20. Ina well tool, a casing having upper and lower chambers, a valve closure therebetween, means in the lower chamber to exert a downward pull on the valve closure to effect opening thereof, and intake ports at the lower end of the casing.

21. In a bailer having upper and lower chambers, a valve closure therebetween, means in the lower chamber to exert a downward pull on the valve closure to effect opening thereof, intake ports at the lower end of the bailer, and means to vary the intake area of said ports.

22. In a cleaning device for wells, a casing having an inlet port in the side wall thereof, said inlet port providing a side passage to said casing, and means for varying the area of said side passage to the casing.

23. In a cleaning device for wells, a casing having a plurality of inlet ports in the side Wall thereof, said inlet ports providing side passages to said casing, vand means for varying the total area of said side passages to the casing.

24. In a cleaning device for wells, a casing having a bottom inlet and an inlet port in the side wall thereof adjacent said bottom inlet, said bot- -tom inlet providing a bottom passage to said "area of said side passage to the casing.

25. In a cleaning device for wells, a casing having a bottom inlet and inlet ports in the side wall thereof adjacent said bottom inlet, said bottom inlet providing a bottom passage to said casing, and said inlet ports providing side passages to said casing, and means for varying the total area of said side'passages to,y the casing.

26. In a cleaning device for wells, a casing, a shoe attached to said casing, said shoe having an inlet .port in the side wall thereof, said inlet port providing a side passage to said casing, and means for varying the area of said side passage to the casing.

27. In a cleaning device for wells, a casing, a shoe attached to said casing, said shoe having inlet ports in the side lwall thereof, said inlet ports providing side passages to 'said casing, and means for Varying the total area of said side passages to the casing.

28. In a cleaning device for wells, a casing, a. shoe attached to said casing, said shoe having a bottom inlet and an inlet port in the side wall thereof adjacent said bottom inlet, said bottom inlet providing a bottom passage to said casing,

and said inlet port providing a side passage to said casing, and means for varying the area of said side passage to the casing.

29. In a cleaning device for Wells, a casing, a shoe attached to said casing, said shoe having a bottom inlet and inlet ports in the sidewall thereof adjacent said bottom inlet, said bottom Y inlet providing a bottom passage to said casing,

and said inlet ports providing side passages to said casing, and means for varying the total area of said side passages to the casing.

30. In a cleaning device for wells, a casing having an inlet port irl the side wall thereof, said inlet port providing a side passage to said casing, and means for closing said side passage.

31. In a cleaning device for wells, a casing having inlet ports in the side wall thereof, said ports providing side passages to said casing, and means for closing said side passages.

32. In a cleaning device for wells, a casing having a plurality of inlet ports in the side wall thereof, said ports providing side passages to said casing, and means for closing certainof said ports to vary the total area of said side passages to the casing.

33. In a suction bailer, a casing including a sand chamber and a suction chamber, a fluid-way between said chambers, means for closing said way when the bailer is descending in the well, means for opening said way when the bailer is arrested in its descent in the well, and an inlet port to said sand chamber in the side wall of said casing.

34. In asuction bailer, a casing including a sand chamber and a suction chamber, a fluid-way between said chambers, means for closing said way when the bailer is descending in the well, means for opening said way when the bailer is arrested in its descent in the well, and inlet ports to said sand chamber in the side Wall of said casing.

35. In a suction bailer, a casing including a sand chamber and a suction chamber, a fluid way between said chambers', means for closing said way when the bailer is descending in the well, means for 'opening said way when the bailer is arrested in its descent in the well, an inlet port in the side wall of`said casing providing -a side passage to said sand chamber, and means for varying the area of said side passage to the sand chamber.

36. In a suction bailer, a casing including a sand chamber and a suction chamber, a fluid way between said chambers, means for closing said way when the bailer is descending in the well, means for opening said way when the bailer is arrested in its descent in the Well, inlet ports in the side Wall of said casing, said ports providing side passages to said sand chamber, and means for varying the total area of said side passages to the sand chamber.

37. The method of bailing sand and the like material from well bottom which comprises applying suction to simultaneously draw such material vertically through the bottom inlet of a bailer casing and laterally through the side wall of the bailer casing adjacent the bottom inlet from the well area surrounding the lower end of the bailer casing, to prevent the same from becoming embedded in the sand or the like at well bottom, and regulating the area of lateral flow of material through the side wall of the bailer casing to accommodate the bailer t0 the type of well bottom encountered.

which comprises lowering a bailer to well bottom and applying suction to simultaneously draw such material vertically through the bottom inlet of the bailer casing and laterally through the side wall of the bailer casing adjacent the bottom inlet from the well area surrounding the lower end of the bailer casing, to prevent the same from becoming embedded in the sand or the like at well bottom, elevating the bailer to the surface of the well with the charge retained therein, removing the charge, and regulating the area of lateral flow of material through the side wall of the bailer casing for succeeding charges to accommodate the bailer to the type of well bottom encountered.

39. In a cleaning device for Wells, a casing having a bottom inlet providing a bottom inlet passage into said casing, a charge retaining valve in said casing above said bottom inlet, an inlet port in the side wall of said casing adjacent said bottom inlet and between said bottom inlet and said valve providing a side inlet passage into said casing, and means for varying the area of said side inlet passage into said casing.

40. In a cleaning device for wells, a casing having a bottom inlet providing a bottom inlet passage into said casing, a charge retaining valve in said casing above said bottom inlet, a discharge port in said casing above said valve, closure means for controlling said discharge port, an inlet port in the side wall of said casing adjacent said bottom inlet and between said bottom inlet and said valve providing a side inlet passage into said casing, and means for varying the area of said side inlet passage into said casing.

41. In a cleaning device for wells, a casing having a bottom inlet providing a bottom inlet passage into said casing, a charge retaining valve in said casing above said bottom inlet, a plurality of inlet ports in the side wall of said casing adjacent said bottom inlet and below said valve providing side inlet passages into said casing, and means for varying the total area of said side inlet passages into said casing.

42. In a cleaning device for wells, a casing having a bottom inlet providing a bottom inlet passage into said casing, a charge retaining valve in said casing above said bottom inlet, a plurality of inlet ports in the side wall of said casing adjacent said bottom inlet and below said valve providing side inlet passages into said casing, and closure means for said ports on 4said casing for varying the total area of said side inlet passages into said casing.

43. In a suction bailer, a casing including a substantially air tight suction chamber and a sand chamber, a fluid way between said chambers, means for closing said way when the bailer is descending in the well, means for opening said way when the bailer encounters the well bottom, said casing having a bottom inlet providing a bottom inlet passage into said sand chamber, a

charge retaining valve in said casing below said sand chamber, and an inlet port in the side wall of said casing adjacent said bottom inlet and below said valve, said side inlet port being spaced from the lower end of said casing and providing a side inlet passage into said sand chamber to draw well sand and the like encountered at the well bottom from around the lower end of said casing and into said casing to prevent the same from becoming embedded in the sand at the Well bottom.

44. In a suction bailer, a casing including a substantially air tight suction chamber and a sand chamber, a iluid way between said chamcasing above said valve; closure means for conthe well bottom sand chamber, a

trolling said discharge port, and an inlet port in the side wall of said casing adjacent said bottom inletand below 'said valve, said side inlet P0117 being spaced from the lower end of said casing and providingl a side inlet passage .into

said sami` chamber to draw well sand and the like encountered at the well bottom from around the lower end of said casing and into said casing to -prevent thepsame from becoming embedded inl the sand at the well bottom.

A45. In a suction bailer, a casing including a substantially air tight suction chamber and a sand chamber, a uid way between said chambers, means for closing said way when the bailer is descending in the well, means for opening said way when the bailer encounters the well bottom,

'fa bottom inlet in said casing providing a bottom inlet passage into said sand chamber,A a charge retaining valve in said casing below said sand chamber, and a plurality of inlet ports in the side wall of said casing adjacent said bottom inlet and below said valve, said inlet ports being spaced side inlet passagesbinto said sand chamber to draw well sand and the like encountered at the well bottom from around the lower end of said casing and into said casing to prevent the same from becoming embedded in the sand at the well bottom.

.46. In a suction bailer, a casing including a 0' substantially air Atight suction chamber and a 4 sand chamber, a uid way between said chambers, means for closing said way when the bailer is descending in the well, means for opening said way when the bailer encounters the well bottom, said c asing being provided with a bottom inlet providing a bottom inlet passage into said charge retaining valve in said casingbelow said sandv chamber,.an inlet port in the side wall of said casing adjacent said bottom inlet and below said valve, said inlet port providing side inlet passage into said sand chamber to draw well sand and the like encountered at from around the lower end of said casing and -into'said casing to prevent the same from becoming embedded in the sand atv the well bottom, and means for varying the area of said side inlet passage into said casing to accommodate the bailer to well bottoms having different characteristics.

47. In a. suctionbailer, a casing including a substantially air tight suction chamber and a sandchamber, a uid way between said chambers, means for closing' said way when the bailer casing and providing trolling said discharge port, an inlet port in the side wall of said casingadjacent said bottom inlet and below said valve, saidinlet port providing a lside inlet passage into said sand chamber to draw well sand and the like encountered at the well bottom from around the lowerl end of said casing and into said casing to-prevent the same from becoming embedded in thesand at the well bottom, and means for varying the area of said side inlet passage into said casing to accommodate the bailer to well bottoms having different characteristics.`-

48. Ina suction bailer, a. casing including a substantially air tight'suction chamber and a sand chamber, a iluidv Way between said cham.- 4

isv descending in thewell, `means for opening said Y way when the bailer encounters the well bottom, a bottom inlet in said casing providing a bottom inlet passage into saidv sand'chamber, a-charge retaining valve in ,saidcasng below. said sand chamber, a plurality of inletv ports in the side wall of said casing adjacent said bottom vinlet and below said valve, saidvinlet ports providing side inlet passages into-said sand chamber to draw well sand and the like encountered at the well bottom from around the lower end of said casing and intoy said casing to prevent the same from becoming embedded in the sand at the well bottom, and means for varying the total area of said side inlet passages into saidcasing to accommodate the bailer to well bottoms having diierent characteristics.' f

,49. In a suction bailer, a casing including a' substantially .air tight suction chamber and a sand chamber,` a fluid way between said chambers, means for closing said way when the bailer is descending in the well, means for opening said way whenv the bailer encounters the well bottom, a bottom inlet in said casing providing a bottom inlet passage into said sand chamber, a charge retaining valvev in saidcasing below said sand chamber, a plurality of-'inlet ports in the side wall of said casing adjacent said bottom inlet and below said valve `saidinlet ports providing side inlet passages into said sand chamber to draw well sand and'.A the like encountered at the well bottom from around the lower end of said casing and into said casing to prevent the same from becoming embedded in the sand at the well bottom, and closure means forsaid ports on said casing for varying the totalaea' of' said side inlet passages into said casing to accommodate the bailer toV well bottoms having diierent characteristics. l

' PAUL CAVINS; 

